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Friday, July 12, 2013

Potato Harvest 2013 Results

Sad, especially when I just read that a 10 pound per pound ratio is considered "normal." I suppose not watering and minimal weeding is a fair trade-off for such a large yield, but it didn't encourage me with the results this year...

In 2010, we planted and harvested 130 pounds, for a 3.5:1 ratio.In 2011, we planted and harvested 265 pounds, for an almost 4:1 ratio.Last year, we planted 40 pounds and harvested 293.5 pounds, for a 7.3:1 ratio.
This year, we planted 81.5 pounds and harvested 253, for a 3.1:1 ratio. After going back to find the earlier years, it is disappointing that this was the lowest year ever.

We also had a cold, wet spring. We saved potato seed, and they were too sprouted to produce reliably. Also, we used our younger, less fertile bed. All that being said, I could probably crunch numbers, but we'll just leave it as it is.

Of course, last year, we planted LOTS of onions and lost most of them. This year, we have a rock-star performance by onions, harvesting 282.5 pounds at this point, with one more largish harvest to total. Reds were definitely less productive than yellow.

Let the numbers speak for themselves...

Type

Seed Weight

Yield

Ratio

Russet Burkbank

5

3

0.428571429

All Blue

7

8

1.142857143

Kennebec

6

18

3

Purple Viking

5.5

0

0

Dakota Pearl/Crisp

26.5

55

2.075

Red Norland

12.5

97

7.76

Yukon Gold

12

72

6

Total

81.5

253

3.104294479

Onions

Candy

4

151.5

37.875

Red Candy

3

17

5.666666667

Vidalia

4

97

24.25

Burgundy

1

17

17

Next year, All Blue, Yukon Gold, Dakota, and Red Norland will be back on my list.

Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.